Hip hop artists and RnB royalty hit the red carpet to celebrate the best in Pacific music last night.

Samoan-New Zealand rapper David Dallas was the biggest winner at the Vodafone Pacific Music Awards in Auckland.

He took home three awards for his third album, Falling into Place.

Dallas won Best Pacific Male Artist, Best Pacific Urban Artist, and the Radio Airplay Award for his single Runnin’.

Operatic trio Sol3 Mio scored two awards: Best Pacific Group and Best Pacific Music Album.

The Samoan group’s self-titled debut album is into its 23rd week on the New Zealand’s music charts.

Sol3 Mio - made up of brothers Pene and Amitai Pati and their cousin Moses Mackay - sold more albums in New Zealand last year than any other act, including global sensation Lorde.

Samoan singer Bella Kalolo was crowned Best Pacific Female Artist for her EP Time and Space.

One of New Zealand’s biggest Pacific stars was also honoured at the awards ceremony.

Che Ness - also known as Che Fu - was given the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Pacific music.

His career took off when he was part of the 1990s group Super Groove.

Ness went on to create the hit single Chains and release four albums.

Mark Vanilau scooped the awards for Aspiring International Artist and Best Pacific Song for Giant of the Sea.

King Kapisi's work with All Black enforcer Jerome Kaino on the hit rap single Crush won him the Best Pacific Music Video award.

The Vodafone Pacific Music Awards celebrate artists from the pacific community.

Pacific Music Awards Trust chairperson Mua Strickson-Pua said artists like Sol3 Mio, David Dallas and Ladi 6 were keeping up the tradition of Pacific music excellence.

"Pacific Music continues to be the life soundtrack of our people and our nation, honouring the fiafia [celebration] that brings our Pacific music industry, our pacific nation communities and mainstream music industry together."